The question of Palestine is one of the most intractable issues in the Middle East and is the focus of international attention. The Palestinians have long aspired to an independent state, but have been strongly opposed and obstructed by Israel. In the process, neighboring Arab countries have been claiming to support the just cause of the Palestinians, and have even repeatedly launched wars to try to help the Palestinians regain their lost land. However, did these Arab countries really help Palestine to become a state out of selfless purposes?
To answer this question, we need to analyze the evolution of Palestine from a historical perspective, as well as the many wars between Arab countries and Israel. We will find that in these wars, the Arab countries do not really want to help the Palestinians to establish a state, but want to divide their sphere of influence in this land, or confront Israel for their own security and interests. In these wars, Palestinians often become victims and bargaining chips, and do not receive their due rights and dignity.
First, we would like to review the historical background of the Palestinian territories. Once a possession of the Ottoman Turkish Empire, Palestine came under British control after World War I and became a British trusteeship. Britain issued the Balfour Declaration in 1917, pledging to support the establishment of a Jewish "national home" in Palestine.
This declaration caused conflict and confrontation between Jews and Arabs. Jews began mass immigration to Palestine, buying land and building settlements. The Arabs opposed the Jewish invasion and staged numerous uprisings and resistances. The British tried to calm the conflict by restricting Jewish immigration and allocating land, but neither worked.
In 1947, the United Nations adopted Resolution 181, dividing Palestine into two states, Jewish and Arab, and establishing Jerusalem as an international city. The resolution was accepted by Jewish leaders, but rejected by Arab leaders and threatened to use force to prevent its implementation. On May 14, 1948, after the British withdrawal from Palestine, Jewish leaders proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, which was recognized by the United States and other Western countries. The next day, five Arab countries, Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, formed the Arab coalition and launched the first Middle East war against Israel.
This war is called the "War of Liberation" or the "War of Catastrophe," depending on which side you are on. The Arab coalition claimed to be to liberate the Palestinians, stop Jewish aggression, and safeguard Arab honor and interests. In reality, however, the Arab coalition did not really consider the wishes and interests of the Palestinians, but fought for control of the land in isolation.
The Arab coalition forces do not have a unified headquarters or a coordinated strategy, but act according to their respective objectives and plans. Egypt is primarily concerned with the Gaza Strip, Jordan with the West Bank, Syria with a focus on the Golan Heights, and Lebanon and Iraq are only symbolically involved in the war. There is also suspicion and rivalry among the Arab coalition forces, and even some internal conflicts. For example, there was a skirmish between Egypt and Jordan after Egypt accused Jordan of occupying the Old City of Jerusalem.
At the same time, Israel has shown great fighting power and cohesion. Israel has a well-trained, well-equipped and morale-motivated army, as well as an effective Government and leadership. Israel also receives support and assistance from Western countries, especially the United States. Israel adopted flexible tactics and tactics in the war, defeated the attacks of the Arab coalition forces, and launched a counteroffensive.
Israel not only retained its territory, but also occupied more land, including the Galilee region, the Negev desert, western Jerusalem, etc. In 1949, Israel and the Arab countries signed separate ceasefire agreements and established new borders. These boundary lines are called "green lines" because they are drawn on the map with a green pen.
So, what did the Palestinians gain in this war? The answer is: almost nothing. The Palestinians did not get their own State and they did not get their own leaders. They are seen as obstacles and burdens by the Arab coalition and as enemies and threats by Israel.
They were forced to leave their homes and lands and became refugees and homeless people. They are scattered across countries and regions, living in poverty and misery. They have lost their dignity and hope. They suffered a "catastrophe" (Al Nakba). After the first Middle East war, the Palestinians did not give up their dream of statehood, but continued their resistance and struggle.
They have set up political and military organizations such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), Fatah, Islamic Jihad, etc., and have carried out numerous attacks and destruction of Israel. They also try to seek support and asylum from neighboring Arab countries, but are often met with disappointment and betrayal. The Arab States have shown different attitudes and positions towards the Palestinians, some out of sympathy and alliance, some out of exploitation and profit, and some out of disgust and exclusion. In general, Arab States do not truly respect and help the Palestinians, but change their attitudes and behaviour according to their needs and circumstances.
Egypt, for example, went to war with Israel in 1956 and 1967, both claiming to liberate the Palestinians. In both wars, however, Egypt did not really care about the interests of the Palestinians, but rather to defend its territory and sovereignty, as well as to achieve its leadership. Egypt clashed with Britain, France and Israel during the Suez crisis of 1956 when Egyptian President Nasser nationalized the canal and refused to allow Israeli ships to pass through. Egypt clashed with Israel in its third Middle East war in 1967 after it blocked Israel's Red Sea exports and expelled U.N. peacekeepers.
In both wars, Egypt suffered crushing defeats by Israel and lost territories such as the Sinai Peninsula and the Gaza Strip. Egypt has imposed severe control and oppression on the Palestinians in those territories without providing them with any political or economic support.
Egypt even launched Operation Black September in 1970, cracking down on Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and ousting their leader, Arafat. In 1979, with the mediation of U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Egypt and Israel signed the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, ending hostilities between the two countries and allowing Israel to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula. This treaty was seen as a betrayal by other Arab states and led to Egypt's temporary expulsion from the Arab League.
For example, Jordan went to war with Israel in 1948 and 1967, both claiming to protect the Palestinians. However, in both wars, Jordan did not really respect the will and rights of the Palestinians, but in order to expand its territory and influence, as well as maintain its throne and security.
Jordan occupied the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem in the first Middle East War in 1948 and incorporated them into its territory, known as the "West Bank." Jordan discriminated against and deprived Palestinians in those areas and did not provide them with any opportunity for democracy or freedom. Jordan even announced in 1950 that these areas would be formally incorporated into its own country, known as the "Kingdom of Jordan". This move was met with opposition and protests from Palestinians and other Arab countries.
Jordan clashed with Israel in the Third Middle East War in 1967 because Jordan saw Israel's attack on Egypt as a challenge to the Arab world and was misled and encouraged by Egyptian President Nasser Nasser. In this war, Jordan was completely hit by Israel and lost territories such as the West Bank and the Old City of Jerusalem. The Palestinians in Jordan in those territories have also been occupied and controlled by Israel and have suffered even more suffering and oppression.
In 1988, after the first great Palestinian intifada, Jordan renounced its sovereignty and legal jurisdiction over the West Bank and recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians. In 1994, under the mediation of U.S. President Bill Clinton, Jordan and Israel signed the Jordan-Israel Peace Treaty, ending the state of war between the two countries and establishing a new border.
Syria, for example, went to war with Israel in 1948 and 1967, both claiming to support the Palestinians. In both wars, however, Syria did not really care about the fate of the Palestinians, but rather to defend its territory and interests, as well as to achieve its political and military goals.
Syria in the first Middle East war in 1948 focused primarily on the Golan Heights, a strategic location between Israel and Syria. Syria tried unsuccessfully to seize this area from Israel. Syria again clashed with Israel in the third Middle East war in 1967 because it believed that Israel's attack on Egypt was an invasion of the Arab world and was misled and encouraged by Egyptian President Abdel Nasser.
In this war, Syria was devastated by Israel and lost territory such as the Golan Heights. The Syrian Palestinians in those territories have also been occupied and controlled by Israel and have suffered even more suffering and oppression. In 1973, in the fourth Middle East war, Syria and Egypt launched a surprise attack on Israel in an attempt to regain lost lands. However, the attack also failed in the end and did not change the strategic balance. In 1974, with the mediation of U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, Syria signed a ceasefire with Israel and restored parts of the Golan Heights.
In addition to these Arab countries, there are a number of other Arab countries that also have different attitudes and positions on the question of Palestine. For example, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf countries, although they pay lip service to the rights and interests of the Palestinians, in practice rarely take effective actions, and even have secret contacts and cooperation with Israel.
Those countries, mainly motivated by economic and security concerns, were reluctant to clash openly with Israel or to host large numbers of Palestinian refugees. They have only provided symbolic assistance and support to the Palestinians on a number of occasions in order to maintain their image and prestige.
For example, at the 1974 Arab Summit, Gulf States such as Saudi Arabia recognized the Palestine Liberation Organization as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinians and agreed to provide economic assistance to it. However, during the 1982 Lebanon War, when Israel invaded Lebanon and laid siege to the Palestinian refugee camps in Beirut, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states did not take any effective measures, but instead reached a military agreement with the United States, allowing the United States to establish military bases on its territory.
Another example is Iraq. Iraq has demonstrated a radical and belligerent attitude towards the question of Palestine, not only by strongly condemning Israel in words, but also by repeatedly launching attacks and threats against it in fact. Iraq is motivated primarily by political and military ambitions to play a role as a leader and liberator in the Middle East, while also wanting to weaken Israeli and U.S. influence in the region.
Iraq participated in its attacks on Israel in several Middle East wars in 1948, 1967 and 1973, firing missiles and rockets at it. Iraq has also supported and provided weapons and funds to extremist Palestinian armed groups, such as Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front.
However, during the 1990-1991 Gulf War, when Iraq invaded and occupied Kuwait, it was opposed and sanctioned by the United States and other Arab countries. In this war, Iraq again fired Scud missiles at Israel and threatened to use chemical weapons. However, these acts did not enjoy the support and sympathy of other Arab countries, and instead left Iraq isolated and predicamentous.
From the above analysis, it can be seen that the Arab States have not shown a consistent and sincere attitude and behavior towards the Palestinian issue, but have changed their positions and tactics in accordance with their own interests and needs. Instead of truly respecting and helping the Palestinians, they use and sacrifice them.
They didn't really want to help the Palestinians become a state, but they wanted to divide their sphere of influence in the land. They do not really want to live in peace with Israel, but want to compete with Israel for superiority and influence. Instead of really wanting to take responsibility for Palestinian suffering and oppression, they want to make excuses and scapegoats for their failures and setbacks.